We test tons of tablets every year. Here are a few others we like, but not as much as the ones we picked above.
iPad Mini (2021, 6th generation) for $469: Want something a little bigger than your phone, but still pocketable and easy to take on the go? The 8.3-inch iPad Mini (8/10, WIRED Recommends) should be right up your alley. You get a compact tablet with a modern look. It has the A15 Bionic processor—the same one that powers the iPhone 13 lineup—and Touch ID built into the power button. It also has Center Stage in the camera, which will adjust the frame to keep you in the shot, and USB-C for charging. It’s incredibly small and cute, and you can plug the iPad Mini into your laptop. Second generation Apple Pencil It’s important to note that Apple is expected to announce a successor in September or early 2025, so if you’re not in a rush, it’s worth the wait.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus for $529: The Galaxy Tab S9 FE is the “Fan Edition” version of the flagship Tab S9 series, which essentially means it makes some sacrifices for a more palatable price. It comes in a Plus and standard variant—I tried the first one and both include a stylus. It worked. a lot Better than the previous Tab S7 FE tablet I tested, without much hitching. The 12.4-inch LCD is huge and a rarity to find at this price in the Android tablet world, but it’s a little hard to hold comfortably, especially when you’re browsing apps in bed. I still prefer the OnePlus Pad and Pixel Tablet, especially at this price.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Series for $600: Whether it’s the Tab S8, Tab S8+either Tab S8 UltraIt’s always smart to buy the older flagship tablets when they go on sale. (Just make sure you’re not paying the suggested retail price!) They’re not that different from the newer Tab S9 series, except the smaller tablet has an LCD panel instead of AMOLED, and there’s no IP68 water-resistance rating. You still get a stylus that magnetically attaches to the back of the tablet, Samsung’s DeX mode for getting some work done, and extended software support.
Lenovo Nook 9-inch tablet from Barnes & Noble for $150: Do you want a cheap Android tablet with Google Play Store (aka, No An Amazon Fire tablet? Check out the new Nook from Lenovo and Barnes & Noble (6/10, WIRED review). It runs Android 13 and isn’t a very powerful machine, but it’s adequate for browsing social media, reading, and catching up on some shows.
TCL Tab 10 Nxtpaper 5G for $240: You can only buy this TCL tablet if you’re a Verizon customer, which is disappointing, but otherwise it’s a pretty good Android tablet for the price. The star of the show here is TCL’s Nxtpaper technology, which offers a glare-free matte display that’s easy on the eyes. does It has a backlight, unlike some previous versions, so you can use it in any lighting. Performance has been pretty solid overall — I haven’t noticed too much lag while browsing the web or scrolling through Instagram — and it has excellent battery life on standby. The 5G option is a nice touch if you want connectivity on the go.
TCL Tab Pro 5G Android Tablet for $400: This model is a bit older, but has better specs, with a 2K-resolution LCD display. Its speakers are good, as is performance: it ran all the usual apps without a hitch. The 10-inch screen size isn’t big enough, though, so some apps are split into two columns when in portrait orientation. At least it has a fingerprint scanner. It’s only available through Verizon.
